changing/fixing file & folder creation dates

[Gravydog316]

Hi does anyone know if there's a way to fix broken file & folder creation dates?

& also, how do I get folders to show the sizes, since it only works sometimes?

 

[Bigwaff]

Is there something specific about the origin of these folders? Copied from the same external disk or network share?

 

[gilby101]

Creation date.

Hard way:
Sort answer: Use the setfile command from the command line tools.
Long answer: https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...mp-to-the-earlier-of-the-2-for-a-ton-of-files shows how to create an Automator workflow with a script which sets file creation and modification dates. You would want to change the logic to just set the creation date - most likely to same as modification. And note the comments about selecting folders, not files. Test with lots of care.

Easier way (GUI app):
Use A Better File Attributes https://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderAttributes/index.html (free trial) which has a method too copy the modification date to the creation date. Also a method to set the creation date to a specific date. Test with care.

Simple way:
Sorry, there isn't one.

 

[NoBoMac]

Sort answer: Use the setfile command from the command line tools.

Think you need to install Xcode for that.

% setfile
xcode-select: note: No developer tools were found, requesting install.

But, OP, per the Automator route, can use "touch" instead of "setfile" via command line. And can combine with "find" to traverse a whole directory structure, limit to name/extension, etc.

How to `touch` files recursively?

I need to change the timestamp of about 5000 files. Typing touch file1.txt, touch file2.txt will take me forever. Is there a way to do something in the lines of touch -R *?

askubuntu.com

 

[gilby101]

Show folder sizes:

When browsing files in List view, go to View > Show View Option (also Command-J) and tick "calculate all sizes".

In a search, use Option-Command-I to show the inspector. That shows the size of the currently selected folder. I don't think you can show the size in the Finder search window.

 

[gilby101]

Think you need to install Xcode for that.

Just needs: xcode-select --install as described in the Q&A I linked. Not all of Xcode.

But, OP, per the Automator route, can use "touch" instead.

My understanding is that touch can change modify date, but not creation date. Creation date needs setfile.

 

[NoBoMac]

touch will modify create date.

Eg:

% echo "" > foo.txt
% touch -t 202212250000 foo.txt

Yields (Modified date, create date):




And with other switches, can change only modified, access

 

[gilby101]

touch will modify create date.

I think only when new modify date is earlier than current create date.

After following your example, try: touch -t 202212260000 foo.txt. Modify date is advanced to 26/12/22, but the create remains at 25/12/22.

The OP will be wanting to advance the create date, and likely without changing the modify. Hence setfile or ABetterFinderAttributes.

 

[Gravydog316]

Is there something specific about the origin of these folders? Copied from the same external disk or network share?

No. They (& the other normal-dated folders & any new folders have correct dates are all on our external harddrive)

 

[Gravydog316]

Show folder sizes:

When browsing files in List view, go to View > Show View Option (also Command-J) and tick "calculate all sizes".

In a search, use Option-Command-I to show the inspector. That shows the size of the currently selected folder. I don't think you can show the size in the Finder search window.

Tried "calculate all sizes"; it only works sometimes.